Gremag and Vestan enter the trader's store. Inside all is the same as before, his sidekick Rannos is nowhere in sight. Gremag goes beind the counter and brings out a bottle of brandy. "Only the best for my friends!" he says and pours them both generous measures. "I was worried when I saw all the wagons coming in with bodies in them that you might have fallen.  It is good to see you well and in one piece. To your health!' he toasts and drains his glass.  "So you seem to have had a bit of a set back, what are you plans now? And how can we help?"

Veatan relishes the taste of the brandy, swilling it around his mouth before swallowing it. "Well, I still want me snake skin suit made up, but now the tanner has copped a bad 'un I don't know if that is possible!" He takes another sip of the drink, swallowing it straight away. "Mmmm! This is good! Me old Uncle Stevie used to make stuff like this when we were holed up in Bad Hollow. You don't know any one who can make a snake skinned suit do you?"

Gremag pours them both another glass and says, "You leave that to me Vestan.  It will take a bit longer, as I will need to use my suppliers in Verbonc, but I can sort it out." he gives Vestan a very contrived wink then raises his glass and makes another toast "To buisness!" again draining his glass.

"Ah yes buisness! Best not be disturbed eh! Smacking it down on the countertop, he goes over to the door and opening it hangs a sign outside before closing it again and pulling across the bolt. Vestan bearly had time to see the sign but it said something about 'death in the family".

"You know how these things work, Vestan. I scratch your back, you scratch mine, eh! So what are your plans?" He pours fresh brandy into your glass and his as he says this.

"My plans?" asks Vestan, taking another swallow of the brandy and scrunching his face up to think hard. "Well, I guess I'm just travelling through...I had a spot of bother a bit back, up north, you know. So I've no home or anything, I guss I'm looking for one." He takes another sip and then nods. "Yes, I guess that's it, though I'm happy wandering at the moment. I've not really thought about any plans." Another swallow of brandy. "Guess I'll continue with exploring those old ruins, though I could do with a bunch of people who aren't so fussy about things. We seem to get so far then it's back to the village for resh and recuperashun. At thish rate I <i> be shettling down around here!" He takes another swallow of the firey liquid, enjoying the warm fuzzy feeling it was begining to give him.

"Ah yes the moathouse! So you back for a rest, eh? Thats good friends like you and I should spend time together.  How long do you think you will be staying for?" said Gremag who didn't seem to be suffering too much from the effects of the brandy.

At that point Gremag's buisness partner Rannos entered the store from the back and smiled when he saw Vestan, "Vestan! You are most welcome here! Gremag we have some buisness to discus, shouldn't take too long.  Vestan have some more brandy and we'll join you in a few minutes. Could use a drink!"

Gremag pours another measure then joins Rannos in a discussion you cannot hear though it get quite animated at one point. Returning they both take some brandy and settle at the table. Gremag says "Ah where were we? Oh yes? your future plans, how long do you think you'll be in the village before going out exploring again?"

OOC: duing the exchange you get the feeling that contrary to popular belief, Rannos is the senior partner in their relationship and Gremag is perhaps a little afraid of him.

Vestan watched the exchange and glugged some more of the delicious brandy, watching with interest as the room slowly started to spin. His eyes started to feel heavy too and he blink several times to try and make them lighter, to stop them closing. "Wha'?" he asked groggily. "Ho' lon' we gonna be here?" he blinks again and gives a toss of his head, trying to stave off this sudden bout of sleepiness. Perhaps another swig of brandy would pep him up.

He takes the swig and swallows the liquid. "Dunno," He says before giving a big yawn. "Prob'ly tonight, then faff around for suppliesh in tha morrrorring and then shet offa, ha' a fight 'n' then, 'n' then come back." He yawns again and peers into his empty mug before smacking his lips. "Tha' wuz reely nishe wuz that, but I rekkun I'm ready fer me pit." He plonks the mug back onto the table and jumps off his seat. Rather unsteadily, especially for him. He looks up at his two friends and beams at them "Whoops!" he says swaying where he stands,before tapping his nose and winking at them. <red>Yesh, time fer me ta go!"

He giggles, hiccups then sets off for the door, knocking into the table as he does....

Gremag nods his head the says "So soon? A pity, I was hoping for the pleasure of your company for a few days at least! I wish you well for the trip!" He helps Vestan to the door and is about to open it when Rannos speaks up, "Vestan, best you stay amoungst your friends tonight.  I understand they are at Burne's 'keep'.  It's always good to have friends to vouch for you, eh!"

OOC: I'll post a intro for you on the general page shortly

Vestan hiccups again and mumbles something before leaving. He trusts his feet know the way through the village which seems to be spinning around himself.

As he sways through the village, he begins to sing in his high pitched voice.

I've been havin' shome hard travelin', I thought you knowed...(HIC!)
I've been havin' shome hard travelin', way down the road (HIC! HIC!)
I've been havin' shome hard travelin', hard ramblin', hard gamblin'
I've been havin' shome hard travelin', doncha knowed! (HIC!)

Vestan continued into the undergrowth, circling around to the general area Arek thought the attack came from. He moved as quietly as possible gaining the area with little dificulty.  His eyes now fully adjusted to the dark he saw the heat signature of a bigfolk ahead. Edging closer, he is surprised as the human turned and pointed a crossbow directly at him.

"Vestan! I was hoping you'ld come and help me here." said the voice of Rannos sounds unusually loud, though it was unlikely to reach the clearing. "Tell you what though, you'll need to work on this sneaking about lark if you want to live to old age!" The aim of the crossbow was straight at Vestan's forehead, the hands holding it steady as a rock.

OOC: rolled a 98 on move silently....

"Ranons?" Vestan peers up directly at the man a quizzical look crossing the halflings face. He pays the crossbow now more than a cursory glance. Cogs whirr in his mind he changes his expression to one of pleasure. "Well, I didn't want to surprie you, never wise to surprise a man with a cocked crossbow in his hand! Maybe you can help me? I'm looking for an assassin! We took some prisoners when we got the brats back and were looking to put them to the question. But some sneaky assed hobo is out here killing them off. Perhaps you can help?"

"Ah yes the hobgoblin assassin, I like your train of thought Vestan. Well I could say he ran away but seeing as his job is only half done I doubt he has. If your friends would be so convenient as to allow him a shot at the other goblin then I think he would go away. Yes I can almost guarantee that he would only try for the goblin. Whereas at the moment he would have to create some room." said Rannos. Despite the lack of light vestan was sure he had one of his wry smiles on his face.  "Of course it would probably also leave if it could be sure the goblin did not reach the questioning stage. That is... if it somehow or another had an accident, hmmm? Or ate something that disagreed with it, if someone of trust could arrange that? Why it could even be looked on as saving the lives of those you know Vestan! Sort of a heroic deed if you will." Now Vestan was sure he was smiling. It also occurred to him that Rannos was able to see him far better than the light conditions allowed for those without the ability to see thermal changes.

The minutes ticked away as Vestan considered his options. Rannos speaks up again, "If it is any help Vestan, I'm sure the hobgoblin would have some em... shall we say 'spices'? Yes, spices that might aid the prisoners digestion."

Vestan thought things over. He had been given a job to do by the others, but then he didn't owe them anything not when all they gave him was abuse.

On the other hand they were seeming to come around to his way of thinking concerning the questiuoning of the hobo's and he was looking forward to that.

"An accidenty, you say? I suppose you would like that to occur before he is questioned, eh?"

Vestan made a show of scratching his chin as if thinking things over. "I'm not sure that would be...convientant. I was kinda looking forward to questioning the little bleeder."

His hand carressed the ear hanging around his neck. "I'm after the set after all. No, I'm going to need some better reason to spoil the fun. Why do you want it silenced? I'm a little confused as to what's going on. Enlighten me, show me it's going to be worth my while in the long run, eh?"

"Hmmm... well where to begin? The goblin worked from some friends of mine but as is the way with their race he did not follow through on his instructions.  It would appear he and his little band were taking the poor little children away for their own benefit rather than following orders. Now this would not have mattered if they had not been caught. Yes if the ogres had done what they were meant to and not try and argue. I ask you, goblins and ogres! One some brain and no brawn, the other... well useful for some tasks I suppose but not when thinking is involved.... You see the sort of material we have to work with!  If only we had some real brains... like youself Vestan." he pauses given Vestan an appraising sort of look before continuing.

"You ask what is in this for you? Well I can tell you that the more you help us the more you help my friends.  The more you help them, well I think they might be interested in getting to know you better and perhaps some sort of position of in their organisation, or at least be prepared to rewards you for services rendered.  Take the goblin as a point.  He may have picked up information on the layout and size of forces my friends have.  Anything of that sort could be useful to those damned do-gooders in Hommlet. If he were not able to reveil anything my friends would be most greatful and I'm sure most generous."

He stops then almost as an afterthought says "I'm telling you quite a lot here Vestan.  It shows how much we think of you and your support. One further item of information, as you requested we sorted out the tanners operation.  We have your snakeskin in the store for you to pick up any time."

Vestan's ace had taken on the bored expression of some-one with no desire to listen or take part in any discussion on politics. What care did he have for that?

But his face perks up considerably when he hears about the snakeskin. "You have my suit? Ready to wear?"

he scratches his chin thoughtfully. "Well, if you have my suit all ready to go, then prhaps I can help you. You know, a favour for a favour, eh?"

"Aparently there wasn't enough for a suit but he made a pair of boots before his untimely end... They look really nice, as I say you can pick them up anytime. Oh there also a bit left over that I believe the tanner thought was a fee, you can have that as well." said Rannos smiling

OOC it was a pair of boots he was on the hook for, +10% to move silently.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 20:23, Thu 21 Sept 2006.

"Boots?" The halfling says the word as if it was a curse "Why would I want to use some things, I'm not a tender footed elf or a clumping human, you know!"

He shakes his head and sighs heavily. When he spaeaks next, anger tinges his voice"Do you know what I had to go through to get that skin and the bloody idiot goes and makes a pair of bloody boots with it! Trust a bloody human to go and ruin things."

He shakes his head agian. "Sorry pal, no deal on that. So if you've nothing better to offer......" He shrugs and makes as if to turn

"I like your style Vestan!" said Rannos smiling.  "Tell you what, take this and if you have the opportunity to use it well so much the better! You can pick the boots up anytime. Oh,and best not mention this meeting to your friends eh!" As he talks he reaches into a pocket and  holds out a small bindle of the sort usually used to hold herbs or powders in one hand. The crossbow still in his other hand seems as steady as ever.

"What? And do your dirty work for free? I don't think so." He starts to turn away and then looks back to the man. "But don't worry, I shan't mention this conversation to anyone."

He turns his back on the man and starts to walk away........

"Fine Vestan, but remeber to come by the shop to pick up your boots!" Rannos answered as the halfling moved off.

Vestan stalks away, angrily muttering about how he doesn't need boots and what a waste of time it had been efen skinning the bloody snake etc. He heads off back to the group in a very bad mood, not bothering about stealth at all.

OOC: Hi Vestan before we start this can I just confirm that you are aware of the back entrance, from both the goblin and Adia-Ny.  You are not aware of any other entrances (except the obvious one). All the maps in the map thread are known to you.

OK where do you want to go first?

Well, he can't read or write so maps are going to be meaningless lines and squiggles to him too and he has been wrapped up in his fury about being duped by the villagers to listen to the others in his group who seem to be in cahoots with them.

What I was planning on having him do was do a wide circle of the area and have him rely on his own senses to take in the environment. From where ever he is on the track, move north, then east, moving south and then west back to the group.

Who will hopefully finished yabbering away then and he'll be able to lead them on based on his discoveries.

Vestan skulks around the upperworks of the moathouse.  It looks pretty much the same as before with two major differences.  First there are two rows of graves along the now well beaten track leading to the bridge over the moat.  Some of the graves are open suggesting someone expects the body count to increase.

Secondly he could see evidence of repair to the outer wall of the room with the trapdoor. It would seem that someone is trying to make sure there is no chance of entrance where the masonary has forded the moat. Cracks in the walls have been patched with timber.